Social Capital Theory and the Metropolitan University: Reframing Ideas about Neighborhood Interactions

Gregory K. Plagens
Eastern Michigan University

Keywords:
Higher Education, Social Capital Theory

Abstract

The idea that social relations can aggregate into social capital has intuitive appeal that scholars are finding useful as they seek to explain variations in community outcomes. This article suggests that it may be time for metropolitan university administrators to begin thinking beyond community relations or community engagement as they seek to influence what is going on in the neighborhoods that surround their campuses. Social capital may be an untapped resource in their midst.